Is Grammar Really That Important Any More?

[Crossroad Press]

Originally Posted by stickybuns

"The tea party came to a porcelain shattering halt as Nathaniel came stumbling into the room, his white polo shirt rapidly growing crimson. 'I've been shot!' he cried out as he collapsed upon the chaise lounge. The ladies of the Davenport Street Book and Tea Lovers Club cringed: blood stains can be such a bother."

ACTUALLY what bothers me would force this change.

"The tea party came to a porcelain shattering halt as Nathaniel stumbled into the room, his white polo shirt rapidly growing crimson. 'I've been shot,' he cried as he collapsed upon the chaise lounge...."

I'd have no problem with him saying "I've been shot," but the came stumbling doesn't work for me as well as plain stumbled.

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by Crossroad Press

But isn't a "shin kick" a different thing from a kick? If so, the only time I can see any need to mention it is if it IS a shin kick, and will blissfully continue believing other kicks are more traditional, unless, of course, obtained on Route 66.

They're both a kick, just like a hook and an uppercut both are a form of a punch. The word "kick" is the general label that tells the reader which part of the body you're using for the attack. Shin kick, spin kick, snap kick, scorpion kick, and so on, are specific labels that tell the ones who know them specific details about what kind of kick it is.

And yes, the only time you'd use those specific labels are in a situation when it matters which specific type of kick it is. In general, "she kicked him" would be all you need to say.

[rhadin]

Originally Posted by Crossroad Press

it's like asking is it just okay to flick paint at the canvas, or is learning to paint still important?

Something to ask Jackson Pollack if he is ever resurrected

[Crossroad Press]

Mr. Pollack had already proven he could paint before he started pouring it off ladders.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Speaking as someone who was once forced to learn English grammar as a part of learning the actual language, I'd have to agree with you. I think he was talking about "newspeak" and slang though?

I can understand that. English is a very difficult language to master if not born to it with all the borrowed words and words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently i.e. wound and wound. One is an injury and the other the past tense of wind, as in he wound the clock. Then there are words like you're and your not to mention there, their and they're.

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by crich70

I can understand that. English is a very difficult language to master if not born to it with all the borrowed words and words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently i.e. wound and wound. One is an injury and the other the past tense of wind, as in he wound the clock. Then there are words like you're and your not to mention there, their and they're.

My favorite is

The dove dove into the pond.

[RolandD]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

My favorite is

The dove dove into the pond.

I not sure that I was consciously aware that they were spelled the same until I read that.

[Justin Nemo]

Originally Posted by Crossroad Press

Mr. Pollack had already proven he could paint before he started pouring it off ladders.

That is a matter of opinion and personal taste.

[Justin Nemo]

It looks as though no one here is writing for the younger audience, me included. If we don't write in a style that they understand and dare I say a language, why would they bother to read what we write? This is your future audience we're talking about.

I don’t believe that grammar is going to improve with the next generation and the technology they use to communicate, it will get worse. Personally I blame small keyboards on smartphones, but that's another story.

[gmw]

Originally Posted by crich70

I can understand that. English is a very difficult language to master if not born to it with all the borrowed words and words that are spelled the same but pronounced differently i.e. wound and wound. One is an injury and the other the past tense of wind, as in he wound the clock. Then there are words like you're and your not to mention there, their and they're.

I did enjoy that even your explanation of wound (was painful) vs wound (around my finger) required the use of wind (it clockwise) vs wind (was blowing), and also tense (was past) vs tense (as a frightened cat), and even clock (was on the mantle) vs clock (over the noggin). You can just keep getting deeper and deeper into the mire, don't you just love language!

[geronimo]

"Is Grammar Really That Important Any More?"

Starting with this very sentence I would say: yes!

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Justin Nemo

It looks as though no one here is writing for the younger audience, me included. If we don't write in a style that they understand and dare I say a language, why would they bother to read what we write? This is your future audience we're talking about.

If a younger audience is incapable of understanding standard English vocabulary and grammar, that would concern me greatly. Children need to be able to read (and write) "standard English" because doing so is a vitally important skill for later life.

[Justin Nemo]

Originally Posted by HarryT

If a younger audience is incapable of understanding standard English vocabulary and grammar, that would concern me greatly. Children need to be able to read (and write) "standard English" because doing so is a vitally important skill for later life.

You are absolutely right in my opinion, but then we are from a different generation. I'm not saying they wouldn’t understand it, I'm asking why would they bother. If textspeak is the future of writing, is it necessary for the younger generation to learn grammar in the same way that we did?

[orlok]

Originally Posted by Justin Nemo

You are absolutely right in my opinion, but then we are from a different generation. I'm not saying they wouldn’t understand it, I'm asking why would they bother. If textspeak is the future of writing, is it necessary for the younger generation to learn grammar in the same way that we did?

Ooooh. What a horrible thought. That we could end up with everything written in text speak, even newspapers and books. Where's a suicide booth when you need one?

[Justin Nemo]

Originally Posted by orlok

Ooooh. What a horrible thought. That we could end up with everything written in text speak, even newspapers and books. Where's a suicide booth when you need one?

Death, it's the future!